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Libya is the latest of America's 21st century wars where lack of clarity of goals and the disconnect between means and ends make success problematic, even elusive. Together with Afghanistan and Iraq, though fundamentally different in level of commitment, the Libyan enterprise is another conflict where success is measured not by victory but by extrication - the hallmark of America's new wars. The issue is not can we win; but when and how can we leave.

Under these circumstances with growing skepticism at home, the Obama administration is left with a policy betwixt and between: We can't fully arm the rebels but will provide drones; we can't have boots on the ground; but we'll consider a covert intelligence/special forces presence; we want Qadhafi to go, but can't forcefully call for regime change because of coalition, UN, and regional politics. And even though we pushed hard for a no-fly zone plus (increasingly plus/plus) we're in a kind of twilight zone where we're leading but not really.

Given the fact that Libya is really not that important in the greater scheme of things - Bahrain, Syria, Yemen come to mind in terms of more salience for core American interests - it's possible to make the case that Obama's "I'm in but not really strategy" is an appropriate response. A limited humanitarian intervention probably saved lives and preempted terrible atrocities. Indeed, the last thing America wanted or needed was sole custodianship for yet another Arab or Muslim country. And as long as Libya doesn't morph into Somalia on the Mediterranean, can't this situation continue for some time with minimum impact on American interests?

Yes, it looks bad, awkward, and appears that nobody thought through the consequences of Qadhafi not falling quickly. The answer is yes it can - and unless we get very lucky and the regime crumbles, it will. Bad options; bad outcomes. Drones won't change the nature of things unless one finds Colonel Q; and the rebels are ours (kind of) for the duration. Welcome to America's 21st century wars.

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